What affects the frequency of movements?
It is important to understand that the activity of the child in the womb depends on various factors. A pregnant woman usually begins to feel the first tremors at 16-18 weeks. In addition, reviews from mothers indicate that each baby has its own style of movement. Experts suggest that this depends on the temperament of the baby, which is being formed in the womb.
It is also worth noting that the number and intensity of movements often depends on the lifestyle of the woman herself. So, let's name the main factors that can affect the activity of the fetus:
- A pregnant woman is in a hot and stuffy room.
- Mommy feels nauseous and dizzy. Movements may become more active due to disruption of the flow of oxygen to the placenta.
- The position of the woman's body can affect the baby's movements. If the position is uncomfortable for the little one, he will remind himself by pushing his arms and legs.
- Loud noises can affect a child's activity. In this case, one baby may calm down, while the other, on the contrary, will begin to actively push.
- The movements may increase if the mother is lying on her stomach. This position leads to compression of the vena cava located in the pelvic area. Due to compression, oxygen may not reach the child well, which will lead to active movements.
- Many babies also begin to push if mommy ate something spicy, sour, or drank a drink containing a lot of caffeine.
It is worth noting that sudden and active movements of the baby indicate that he is experiencing discomfort or lack of oxygen. Smooth and slow movements are an indicator that the baby is doing well.
Peristalsis of the intestinal tract
Why do abdominal movements occur without pregnancy? Perhaps the reason lies in the active peristalsis of the digestive tract. In order for food to move, the intestines must make wave-like contractions. This process is technically called peristalsis.
The sensation of movement can occur on any side: right, left, lower and upper abdomen. This is due to the fact that the digestive tract is long. It ranges from 10 centimeters to 10 meters.
The activity of the digestive system depends on the diet, the state of human health, and the characteristics of the nervous system. If a person is completely healthy, then peristalsis does not cause any discomfort.
Is it possible to determine the position of the fetus in the womb by its movements?
Some mothers wonder whether it is possible to understand how the baby lies in the stomach by its movements? Yes, by assessing the baby's movements, it is possible to guess his position. With a cephalic presentation, the kicks will be more pronounced in the upper part of the tummy, while with a pelvic position of the baby, the kicks will be felt more in the lower tummy. It is important to understand that during the entire pregnancy the baby turns over in the womb several times.
If mommy feels that the little one is lying head up, there is no need to panic. Most likely, closer to childbirth, he will roll over into the correct position.
How many times and how should a baby move in the third trimester?
Obstetricians note that the child should move and make itself felt about ten times over the course of 12 hours. The peak of tremors occurs in the evening, when the expectant mother comes home from work or simply lies down to rest after a difficult day. This is where the “dancing” begins.
But in the third trimester, the baby will no longer perform acrobatic tricks. His movements, to a greater extent, will resemble swarming, spinning, hiccupping, tickling - all this is associated with a decrease in space.
Can kicks be painful?
Normally, fetal kicks should not cause discomfort in a woman, but in practice this is still possible. Most often this happens due to an uncomfortable position of the woman, for example, if she lies on her back or sits bent over. If discomfort occurs, you need to change your body position. Try lying on your side and relaxing. Breathing should be calm and uniform. This is usually enough to calm the baby.
There are also pathological causes of painful sensations during jolts. Let's look at them in a little more detail:
- Pain with jolts in the right hypochondrium may indicate liver and gallbladder diseases.
- If there is discomfort in the upper abdomen, it is important to exclude gastric pathologies, in particular, a diaphragmatic hernia.
- Pain in the lower abdomen often indicates the presence of an inflammatory process in the bladder area - cystitis.
- It is imperative to consult with a specialist if the mother has a scar on the uterus after a Caesarean section.
Some women talk about the phenomenon of pulsation in the abdominal area. This is a sign of blood moving through the umbilical cord. If this phenomenon is not permanent, there is no need to worry.
Abdominal masses
Why does my stomach feel like it's moving? One of the unpleasant reasons is the formation of a tumor, which gradually begins to grow. In the absence of timely treatment, the patient will begin to complain of pain, nausea, vomiting, discomfort, and abdominal enlargement.
Adhesions, tumors in the intestines, stomach or liver, and polyps pose a significant danger to humans. To confirm the diagnosis, it is necessary to undergo an examination, which consists of radiography with contrast and ultrasound diagnostics.
Causes of low movements
Sometimes women notice that the fetus in the womb has become less active. Don't immediately panic and run to the doctor. The causes of this condition can be both pathological and normal physiological in nature.
Physiological reasons
You should listen to the baby’s movements, as this indicator indicates the normal development of the baby in the womb. If mommy notices that the tremors have stopped for a while, she needs to remain calm. Perhaps the baby is just sleeping. If there are no tremors for more than 3 hours, you should try to rouse the baby. You can drink sweet tea, eat chocolate, go up the stairs, and lie on your left side for about an hour. Such actions usually help to wake the baby.
In addition, it is important to remember that a few weeks before birth, the baby’s movements are no longer as intense as before. In the later stages, there is no longer enough space in the mother’s womb. Although the baby moves as before, the woman no longer feels these movements as much.
If there is no movement for more than 3 hours, and not one of the methods to move the little one, you should definitely consult a doctor.
Pathological conditions
Reduced activity of a child often indicates the development of hypoxia. If the mother notices that the baby’s activity has become less pronounced during those hours when the baby was usually kicking and awake, you should definitely consult with your doctor. Research methods such as ultrasound and CTG (cardiotocography) help determine hypoxia. If hypoxia is confirmed, the woman is prescribed special treatment.
Increased gas formation in the stomach
If there is movement in the abdomen, but not pregnancy, then increased gas formation may be the cause. Any process of digestion of food is accompanied by the release of gases. Increased gas formation, according to statistics, affects more than 40 percent of people.
Under normal conditions, there are about 200 milliliters of gases in the digestive tract. But the discharge is observed to be no less than 600 milliliters.
With increased release of gases, swelling of the intestinal tract, bloating, rumbling, and pain are observed. The causes of the pathological process are ingestion of large amounts of air, disruption of the microflora of the intestinal tract, disruption of enzyme function, and consumption of gas-forming products.
Ways to help move your baby's tummy
It is necessary to monitor the baby’s movements in the womb at any stage, no matter whether it is 20, 22 or 30 weeks. If the tremors have become passive, you can try to rouse the little one using simple and safe methods. So, let's look at a few techniques.
Listening to dynamic music
Sometimes cheerful music helps to increase the baby's activity. There is no need to turn it on too loud, the main thing is that it is dynamic.
If you have headphones, you can put them on your tummy. This helps to wake up the baby, after which he will begin to push.
Use your fear
This method should be used very carefully. If, for example, mommy is afraid of spiders, you can play a video about them or look through a book with their image. The release of adrenaline into the blood will make the baby move too. It is important to understand that this technique should only be used as a last resort.
Talking to a child
A baby's hearing in the womb begins to develop at 16 weeks, and by 22 weeks the baby can hear you and all surrounding sounds well. You can try to stir up the baby by talking. At the same time, you can stroke your tummy.
This will also help to form a close bond between mommy and her little one during pregnancy.
Take a horizontal position
When a pregnant woman walks or does something, it creates conditions for the baby similar to rocking in a cradle. The experience of some women shows that as soon as they lie down, the baby begins to actively push. Try lying on your back for a few minutes, then roll over to your right or left side. Within a few minutes the little one will certainly make itself known.
Sweets to the rescue
When the level of glucose in the blood increases, the baby’s body reacts in the same way as the woman’s body. Try eating a piece of chocolate, cookies, dried fruit, banana or other treat. You can wash everything down with sweet natural juice or tea.
Practice shows that the baby's movements increase when the blood sugar level increases.
Physical exercise
The motor activity of the mother herself will help to stir up the little sleepyhead. Do a few squats, walk around the room, and do a few gentle bends. This usually causes the baby in the tummy to wake up and make itself known.
Tummy jiggling
Many mothers have noticed during an ultrasound examination that the doctor can give a small push to the tummy or slightly show it. After this, the little one begins to move.
It is important to remember that you should rock your tummy very carefully so as not to harm your baby.
Exposure to light
Babies in the womb see a bright light that passes through the tummy. You can try to rouse the baby using a regular flashlight. Turn it on and place it on your stomach. After just a moment, you will feel the baby’s kicks, because the light will undoubtedly wake him up.
Parasitic infection in the stomach
Why is there something moving in my stomach? Movements in the left side of the abdomen can be explained by the presence of parasites in the body. Many patients deny this fact, because it is generally accepted that worms are diseases of unscrupulous people.
But there is nothing wrong with this, because helminths can enter the body not only through dirty hands, but also through poorly washed vegetables and fruits, unprocessed meat, or while picking in the soil or sand when planting in the country.
In this case, the person will not only complain that something is moving in the stomach, but also other symptoms:
- nausea, periodic vomiting;
- diarrhea and constipation;
- abdominal pain;
- increased or, conversely, lack of appetite;
- temperature increase.
If there is a feeling of movement in the intestines, then you need to visit a doctor as soon as possible and get tested. There is no need to be afraid if the diagnosis is confirmed. The patient will be prescribed a course of drug therapy and a strict diet.
What to do if attempts to move the baby are unsuccessful?
If the baby in the womb still does not make itself felt after attempts to increase its activity, it is important to seek medical help. Don't put off visiting a doctor.
The specialist will listen to the baby’s heartbeat using a special tube, and will also prescribe diagnostic methods that will help determine whether everything is fine with the child.
Reduction of organs
The uterine cavity in women can move inside the abdomen. This process is most often observed during menstruation, when the uterus actively contracts to push out the excess layer of endometrium.
This process does not require treatment. But if movement is accompanied by spasm, then you can take a painkiller or antispasmodic.
Very often, contractions are observed at night, when a person is at rest. This process should not cause concern if it is not accompanied by pain.
Many people at a doctor's appointment complain that something is moving in their side. Some even worry that parasites have settled in their body. But in some cases the diagnosis is not confirmed, and the whole reason lies in nervous tension. To get rid of this feeling, the patient is prescribed sedatives. If the pathology is nevertheless confirmed, then drug therapy, a strict diet, an active lifestyle and giving up bad habits are prescribed.
